ESPN Classic to Air Wild Card Matchup Between Cleveland and Orlando
July 2, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - Monday night's Wild Card matchup between the Cleveland Gladiators (9-7) and Orlando Predators (9-7) has been chosen as the ESPN Classic game of the month for June and will air on Saturday, July 5, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN Classic.
Gladiators QB RAYMOND PHILYAW completed 29-of-48 passes for 436 yards and eight touchdowns as Cleveland defeated Orlando, 69-66, on Monday. Philyaw's 436-yard passing performance ranks second all-time in AFL postseason history.
Both teams traded scores throughout the game until a costly turnover with time running out proved to be the difference in the contest.
With the Predators trailing 62-60 with 2:05 remaining, Gladiators DB BRANDON HEFFLIN stripped and recovered a fumble by Toliver at Cleveland's four-yard line that resulted in a Gladiators touchdown three plays later that sealed the victory.
Hefflin, who tied a game-high with seven tackles, also intercepted Predators QB SHANE STAFFORD twice to become the first player in Gladiators history to record two-or-more interceptions in a single postseason game.
The win gave the Gladiators their first home playoff victory in franchise history and their first playoff victory since 1998.
This matchup also featured a duel between Cleveland WR ROBERT REDD and Orlando WR T.T. TOLIVER.
Redd recorded a Wild Card Round-high 14 receptions for 204 yards and four touchdowns. Redd's 204-yard performance ranks fourth in AFL postseason history and second all-time in Gladiators franchise history.
Toliver registered 11 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns as the Predators scored on 10 of 14 possessions.
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